Civic Center To Be Replaced

City of Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson has announced Mobile’s plans to tear down the 60-year-old Mobile Civic Center and, in its place, construct a new entertainment destination suited for concerts, family shows and sporting events, including professional hockey. The facility will be designed to support Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions, while providing a modern venue capable of attracting major acts that have bypassed the city. Flexible seating and layout options will allow the new area to easily accommodate a range of activities, including smaller shows and larger events with more than 10,000 spectators and fans. The design also includes multiple ballrooms. The construction cost will be approximately $300 million, which will be financed through cash contributions from the city and project partners, as well as sponsorship opportunities, strategic borrowing through the bond market and other funding sources. Demolition should begin in August, with construction starting in February 2025 and taking approximately two years. Mobile intends to partner with Denver-based professional sports company Oak View Group (OVG) as part of a multiyear operational agreement that includes the new civic arena, the Mobile Convention Center and the Saenger Theatre Mobile. OVG is to also improve the food and beverage experiences at the Mobile Convention Center and Saenger Theatre. Like the new civic arena, these venues will feature menus curated with local brands and flavors. Mobile will also invest in additional improvements at the Saenger Theatre.